I was sad because I thought immediately of my mother, Dotty. And then, I thought its not just me it is all of us. Usually the sense that you are not alone brings on a positive feeling.

What does the confusion that is brought on by Alzheimer's disease and related dementia really feel like. Sadness?

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Author Karen Grigsby Bates goes on to write:

Scan social media and you see one word over and over: "heartbreaking."

Ouch.

Many add the word

Hopeless.

To be honest, I can't say that I am heartbroken or ever was as it refers to my mother's Alzheimer's. I can also say I understand, fully, why many people feel that way.

Did you ever feel heartbroken? Did you stay that way, or did caring for someone living with dementia change your outlook?

I am feeling very sad right this second, but on the other hand I am greatly hopeful. Can you believe more than 600,000 volunteers are dementia friends in the U.K. 600,000 people and growing fast.

Every week now I am reading about new cities that are receiving their official designation of Dementia Friendly city (or town). How remarkable is that?

Our own reader and Purple Angel advocate Angee Trunbull recently received a $6,500 grant to begin the process of turning her own town, Brantford, CA, into a dementia friendly city. Want to help or get involved? You can find Angee on this Facebook Page.

I wish Dotty and I had lived in a Dementia Friendly city. Maybe you are, or maybe you will be some day?

B Smith goes on to say in an upcoming CBS report with Dr. Jonathan LaPook that,

She hopes to continue leading an engaged life and hopes that by doing that, she's helping herself, and also others.

Here is a preview of the upcoming interview with B Smith (June 15).

I strongly strongly suggest that you take the time to watch this short video (2 minutes 30 seconds), and then share it.

The basic bottom line here? B Smith goes on to say that the disease has brought her and her husband

Closer together than ever.

And, as far as I am concerned the closeness of it all is really what it is all about for those of who care.Related Articles

Bob DeMarco is the Founder of the Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR). Bob is a recognized expert, writer, speaker, and influencer in the Alzheimer's and Dementia Community worldwide. The ARR Knowledge Base contains more than 5,000 articles. Bob lives in Delray Beach, FL.

The Alzheimer's Reading Room does not provide medical advice. The contents are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The views of the individuals that write on this website, contribute articles, or are quoted on this site are not necessarily those of the Alzheimer's Reading Room. For specific, personalized medical advice we encourage you to contact your physician.Unauthorized use and/or duplication of all materials and articles in the Alzheimer's Reading Room without the express and written permission from Bob DeMarco are strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given and appropriate and specific direction to the original content is included.